Railroads played an important role in the record of american history. During the civil war, they played an especially important role of transportation. According to the Herron Rail's video, "The American Standard", both sides used railroad equipment to transport troops and supplies to and from the battle frontline. However railroad structures (like bridges), turned out to be easy targets for soliders. If the bridge was out, then trains didn't go anywhere!
A few northern railroads were gathered to form the United States Military Railroad. The railroads, facing tough legislation, followed along in
the shadow of the union, in fear of being captured. Profiterring and corruption immediately dissappeared and trains began to move in an expedient
way. However, as Union soliders took Southern Territories, the southern railroads came with them. At 1 point, when an army from northern
Virginia was attacking Pennsylvania. A few northern railroads were seized to effeciently deal with the threat posed by General Lee.
One of the most famous railroad events in the civil war is called,"THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE". It took place in Big Shanty, Georgia, (Near present day Atlanta) as a train, carrying war supplies, pulled into the station. The conducter, William H. Fuller, got off the train to get a bite to eat. But leaving the train ungaurded was a big mistake. Shortly after he got off, a group of soliders being lead by James Andrews climbed aboard the locomotive, "General". Their mission: take out the right-of-way (or railroad property) to prevent war supplies from getting to General Beuraguard. Luckly, Fuller looked out the window in time to see the General pulling out of the station! Unfortunately, by the time he got out, the train was already getting away. He went on foot, on a crank car, and on 2 different locomotives. James Andrews didn't get away, the fact was that they were using their fire wood to block the tracks. As a result, they ran out of wood to fire the engine. James
Andrews and a few others were caught, and hung as spies.
The "General" has happily been preserved, and is now at a on display at a musuem dedicated to the event.
A few northern railroads were gathered to form the United States Military Railroad. The railroads, facing tough legislation, followed along in
the shadow of the union, in fear of being captured. Profiterring and corruption immediately dissappeared and trains began to move in an expedient
way. However, as Union soliders took Southern Territories, the southern railroads came with them. At 1 point, when an army from northern
Virginia was attacking Pennsylvania. A few northern railroads were seized to effeciently deal with the threat posed by General Lee.
One of the most famous railroad events in the civil war is called,"THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE". It took place in Big Shanty, Georgia, (Near present day Atlanta) as a train, carrying war supplies, pulled into the station. The conducter, William H. Fuller, got off the train to get a bite to eat. But leaving the train ungaurded was a big mistake. Shortly after he got off, a group of soliders being lead by James Andrews climbed aboard the locomotive, "General". Their mission: take out the right-of-way (or railroad property) to prevent war supplies from getting to General Beuraguard. Luckly, Fuller looked out the window in time to see the General pulling out of the station! Unfortunately, by the time he got out, the train was already getting away. He went on foot, on a crank car, and on 2 different locomotives. James Andrews didn't get away, the fact was that they were using their fire wood to block the tracks. As a result, they ran out of wood to fire the engine. James
Andrews and a few others were caught, and hung as spies.
The "General" has happily been preserved, and is now at a on display at a musuem dedicated to the event.
References: http://www.gatewaynmra.org/articles/civil-war1.htm
look under CIVIL WAR RR's
Herron Rail "The American Standard" (VHS)
http://www.historynet.com/railroads-critical-role-in-the-civil-war.htm